GOD’S WINTER SNOW
J. Grant Swank, Jr.
"He gives snow like wool; He scatters the hoarfrost like ashes." Psalm 147:16
One of the most striking scenes in Maine’s Lakes Region is a drive up Sebago's Douglas Mountain. It is stunning. I recall several years ago when the ice storm took us all by surprise. When it got safe to travel, my wife and I drove up Douglas Mountain to take in--from right to left--limbs snapped, trunks uprooted and entire trees laid flat on the frozen turf. There were also a few roads impassable due to trees bedded down in mid-passage.
This winter we have delighted in driving that same roadway--now with few signs of an ice storm past--to take in snow blankets. Sets of especially enticing nature pictures are wooded acres scattered with snow. Then there are the interspersed fields covered in white with bare stalks of one vintage or another sticking their heads toward the sky.
Such invigorating excursions remind me of snow verses from the Scriptures. One of my favorites is: "At this my heart trembles, And leaps from its place. Listen closely to the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that goes out from His mouth. . .For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ And to the downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’" Job 37: 1, 2, 6
In Maine, that mighty hand of God is winter evident year after year. My mother basks in the winter lovely temperatures of Texas. Therefore, she is always interested in our descriptions of Maine's snowy scapes. Snow after snow we relate to her our travels throughout the region as she takes it all in from her safe distance.
When we drive through Sebago Center, we cannot help but laugh when pointing to the sign reading "Hogfat Road"! Upon first moving to Maine, we were enthralled by some of the unique road names in our region.
Another snow verse from the Bible that intrigues me is this one: "Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place. . .Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail. . ." Job 38:19, 22
How could one improve on that phrasing? ". . .storehouses of snow. . .of hail. . ." God invites us into His storehouses in all seasons--warmth of summer and chill of winter. His mercy is ever present. His kindness is ever welcoming. God is God--everlasting and ready.
If we would only take advantage of His friendship more. He waits to open the doors of His storehouses, not afraid of the snow or hail. We hesitate but God does not. We fear that He's not able, not quite up to it, especially when the snow storms howl and pile high. But He really is--He is quite able and has proven His capabilities from the start.
With each winter comes the contemplation of cleansing. Snow white. Snow--fresh and clear. Snow newly fallen on the yard outside. Waking up to the morning snow. So it is that God is waiting to cleanse us, freshen us up by divine grace and mercy, renew us with the quickening breezes of a winter dawn.
That then reminds me of this snow verse: "Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7.
Yes, whiter than snow. God can wash our souls whiter than snow. Snow fallen does not remain sheer white for long; then there comes the slush. But the God snow of forgiving grace is whiter than snow. That's what makes the divine winter of love and hope perfect--whiter than snow.
"He gives snow like wool; He scatters the hoarfrost like ashes." Psalm 147:16
One of the most striking scenes in Maine’s Lakes Region is a drive up Sebago's Douglas Mountain. It is stunning. I recall several years ago when the ice storm took us all by surprise. When it got safe to travel, my wife and I drove up Douglas Mountain to take in--from right to left--limbs snapped, trunks uprooted and entire trees laid flat on the frozen turf. There were also a few roads impassable due to trees bedded down in mid-passage.
This winter we have delighted in driving that same roadway--now with few signs of an ice storm past--to take in snow blankets. Sets of especially enticing nature pictures are wooded acres scattered with snow. Then there are the interspersed fields covered in white with bare stalks of one vintage or another sticking their heads toward the sky.
Such invigorating excursions remind me of snow verses from the Scriptures. One of my favorites is: "At this my heart trembles, And leaps from its place. Listen closely to the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that goes out from His mouth. . .For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ And to the downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’" Job 37: 1, 2, 6
In Maine, that mighty hand of God is winter evident year after year. My mother basks in the winter lovely temperatures of Texas. Therefore, she is always interested in our descriptions of Maine's snowy scapes. Snow after snow we relate to her our travels throughout the region as she takes it all in from her safe distance.
When we drive through Sebago Center, we cannot help but laugh when pointing to the sign reading "Hogfat Road"! Upon first moving to Maine, we were enthralled by some of the unique road names in our region.
Another snow verse from the Bible that intrigues me is this one: "Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place. . .Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail. . ." Job 38:19, 22
How could one improve on that phrasing? ". . .storehouses of snow. . .of hail. . ." God invites us into His storehouses in all seasons--warmth of summer and chill of winter. His mercy is ever present. His kindness is ever welcoming. God is God--everlasting and ready.
If we would only take advantage of His friendship more. He waits to open the doors of His storehouses, not afraid of the snow or hail. We hesitate but God does not. We fear that He's not able, not quite up to it, especially when the snow storms howl and pile high. But He really is--He is quite able and has proven His capabilities from the start.
With each winter comes the contemplation of cleansing. Snow white. Snow--fresh and clear. Snow newly fallen on the yard outside. Waking up to the morning snow. So it is that God is waiting to cleanse us, freshen us up by divine grace and mercy, renew us with the quickening breezes of a winter dawn.
That then reminds me of this snow verse: "Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7.
Yes, whiter than snow. God can wash our souls whiter than snow. Snow fallen does not remain sheer white for long; then there comes the slush. But the God snow of forgiving grace is whiter than snow. That's what makes the divine winter of love and hope perfect--whiter than snow.
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